. >> can he do what he appears to be doing right now with john boehner? and that is upsetting a lot of people in his own base for the betterment of their party by saying we're going to raise it from $250,000 to maybe $500,000, go after entitlements and do it for the best interests of the country. >> he is a pragmatist. the first two years, it was such a strained situation. when we talked to him on wednesday, everything he said was about -- he wasn't saying government has to be bigger. government has to be smarter. government has to be better. it was like the lincoln line. this is a fantastic picture, by the way. >> that is adorable. >> joe, that's one of the pictures i was talking about. >> you're letting us know, these are all exclusive to "morning joe." >> they're exclusive to "time" and "morning joe." apparently on the night that obama was -- gave his wonderful speech in newtown was the night that malia was in the nutcracker suite, and he wasn't able to see it. so he went over to the school in the afternoon to watch the last dress rehearsal. and there'